Passer-by dies as bookies sign crashes on him

A PEDESTRIAN died in a freak accident when a betting shop sign fell on him in strong winds.

The fallen William Hill sign on the pavement after the fatal accident in Camden

The unnamed man in his 20s suffered horrific head injuries when the 30ft metal William Hill fascia struck him as he walked along a busy street.

Horrified witnesses said the victim lay on the pavement in a pool of blood as paramedics arrived to help.

The man was treated at the scene and on the way to hospital. But he suffered a heart attack and died shortly after being admitted.

I think what has happened is people who put the spikes up to get rid of pigeons before Christmas put ladders up against the sign

Dave Preston

Police had not officially named the dead man last night. But he was understood to be a New Zealander known as Jacko.

Friends and well-wishers left flowers, cards and a New Zealand flag at the scene of the tragedy in Camden, North London, as police and council health and safety investigators began inquiries into the incident.

Dave Preston, 68, who lives over the shop, believed the sign could have been loosened by builders fitting pigeon deterrent spikes.

He said: “I think what has happened is people who put the spikes up to get rid of pigeons before Christmas put ladders up against the sign.

“They obviously disturbed the fascia board and, with the wind, it has blown off. If the sign was loose, it must have loosened it even more.”

The victim died at University College Hospital after the accident shortly before 5pm on Monday.

Mr Preston added: “He was lying motionless. The blood was terrible.

“I just felt sorry for his girlfriend or maybe wife, I don’t know. It is tragic to think about, such a young life.”

A William Hill spokeswoman said: “We are still establishing facts and liaising with authorities. We don’t have a comment to make at this time.”